'If it’s not major, if you can walk, if you’re not dead, you’ve got to play,' Jones says; plus practice notes on Miles Killebrew, Barry Sanders and more

It’s hard to say for sure, but last year TJ Jones might not have gotten up so quickly after the hit he took in a one-on-one drill near the goal line Wednesday.

Jones fell to the ground after the collision with a defensive back. He lay there for a few seconds, then rose slowly and limped back to join the receivers. He quickly waved off a trainer.

Jones didn’t miss a rep and on his next play he beat the defensive back and made the touchdown catch.

“If it’s not major, if you can walk, if you’re not dead, you’ve got to play,” Jones said. “That’s the mind-set I’m taking. If I can get up, shake it off, take a couple seconds, come back, make a play. Because that’s the way the game works, especially once you’re going full go, full tackle and it’s not your teammates you’re going against (in a real game).”

Besides his mind-set, Jones credits the extra heft he has added to his frame this off-season.

He said his body feels completely different.

“A hundred percent,” he said. “Especially in the physicality of the game. Certain hits and bumps and bruises that I may have felt a lot more last year, especially in practice. And this year they’re flying off. It’s not anything I’m having to think twice about. So I definitely see way more positives in the weight that I’m at this year as opposed to where I’ve been.”

Jones, who is still listed at 6 feet and 190 pounds, refused to say how much weight he has gained. He said he added the weight the old-fashioned way.

“The good, old calories and lifting,” he said. “It’s the only way I know how. It was a long, multiple, extra meals a day and things like that. But just making sure my calorie count was where it needed to be to really stick to it.”

Safety dance: Safety Tavon Wilson returned to practice but was still dealing with a shoulder injury, so he wore a red no-contact jersey. Second-year safety Miles Killebrew got more time with the first-team defense, which he counts as invaluable.

“Extra practice is always going to help, no matter who it is,” Killebrew said. “So I just want to step up and be able to fill in that gap and have as few mental mistakes as possible. And so far I’ve been able to do what I need to do in practice. We’re looking forward to having (Wilson) back.”

Killebrew, a fourth-round pick last season, had a good rookie season and showed flashes of excellent play, like making the game-ending interception off Drew Brees in New Orleans.

This year, Killebrew said he’s gaining a more complete understanding of the game.

“Just maturity, man,” he said. “The game has slowed down a little bit for me. It’s now not as much what I’m doing out there, it’s recognizing offenses, it’s talking to my guys making sure everyone’s on the same page. It’s slowed down a lot, if that makes sense, mentally. And it’s fun, man. It’s a lot more fun. I’m having a blast.”

Barry appears: Barry Sanders, who has signed a contract with the Lions to make appearances on behalf of the team, attended practice. The Hall of Fame running back greeted fans but was not made available to speak with reporters. But not many players seemed aware of Sanders’ presence.

“Yeah, he’s been out here,” Jones said. “I think guys kind of zoned in, locked in. We’re right now helping a lot of the young guys out when we’re not in (plays). So I’m sure a lot of guys saw him, whether he was on the sideline with them or not.”

Lightning strike: The Lions had to make a run for it when severe weather hit Allen Park with about 20 minutes left in practice. The team had to move quickly from its outdoor fields to the indoor practice facility as rain, wind, thunder and lightning descended on the area.

Rest day: Players get their first day off Thursday and return to practice at 9 a.m. Friday, which is open to the public. The team will hold its annual mock game scrimmage at 10:20 a.m. Saturday at Ford Field. Gates open at 9 a.m. for the scrimmage.